Need advice on taper sawing

[kelLOGg]

I have a 16' log, 15" on small end and 21" on big end and I need 1 x 12s from it. Is the small end big enough? The drawing shows what will be left on the small end after opening the 12" faces - only about 9" from which to get 1" thick boards AND that includes the pith! which you want to avoid in taper sawing. Omitting the pith area I will get only about 4 boards. Am I thinking right on this?



 

[GAB]

Could you explain to me and possibly others your definition of taper sawing.
Not understanding your definition of taper sawing and looking at your sketch I would rotate 90° and just clean up that side, Then rotate 180° and clean up the other side at 12", then rotate 90° again and saw down 4 boards in the "auto down" mode the shift to the "pattern mode" and saw 4 more boards.  The center would be quarter sawn thrash.
GAB

[Old Greenhorn]

I think you should get 3 from each side which should leave enough to finish it off with a 2x12 boxing the pith. SO total of 6 boards. What am I missing?

[kelLOGg]

I think you're right old G. Six is too few boards for such a big log.  If I center the pith I could get more. So,  I'm thinking 15" is too small for the small end for taper sawing. 

[kelLOGg]

GAB,
Taper sawing is sawing parallel to the bark and the waste is the center of the log which is poorer quality. Logs that have a lot of taper, like mine with 15 on one end and 21 on the other, are good candidates for this technique. If I TS this one it will be my first.